HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H. R. NO.	160
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting counties to develop and implement programs to encourage retailers to increase the use of environmentally preferable alternatives to non-biodegradable plastic bags.

     WHEREAS, non- biodegradable, plastic bags have significant negative effects on the natural environment; and

     WHEREAS, in every stage of their life, from production to disposal, non-biodegradable plastic bags create pollution and environmental hazards; and

     WHEREAS, non-biodegradable plastic bags require millions of barrels of crude oil, an increasingly scarce resource, to manufacture, contribute to unsightly litter, crowd landfills with non-biodegradable waste, and endanger marine mammals; and

     WHEREAS, in every square mile of ocean, it is estimated that there are over 46,000 pieces of plastic, including plastic bags; and

     WHEREAS, over 100,000 marine animals die every year after becoming entangled with this plastic waste; and

     WHEREAS, numerous governments worldwide have placed fees or bans on plastic bags and have encouraged the use of alternatives such as compostable plastic bags and reusable bags; and

     WHEREAS, compostable plastic bags are made of material that will decompose by natural processes in a safe and timely manner; and

     WHEREAS, reusable bags are bags with handles that are made of cloth or other durable material and that have been specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse; and

     WHEREAS, encouraging the use of these environmentally preferable alternatives to non-biodegradable plastic bags will help to protect the natural environment and decrease the amount of waste flowing into the landfills; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the counties are requested to develop and implement programs encouraging retailers to increase the use of environmentally preferable alternatives to non-biodegradable plastic bags; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the county programs should encourage retailers to provide only compostable or reusable bags to customers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the county programs should encourage recycling of non-biodegradable plastic bags and community participation in reducing environmental, social, and economic impacts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayors of the counties of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and Director of Health.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Counties; non-biodegradable plastic bags; reduction